GAF Energy has announced it will be bringing 'traditionally off-shored' solar manufacturing to the US in a new 112,000 sq. ft. facility located in San Jose, California. It has leased the location and begun critical improvements on site.
So far the US headquartered building integrated solar roof manufacturer, has been producing its high efficiency solar panels from its locations in the US and South Korea, offering these as a low-profile alternative to rack-mounted solar panels, typically drilled through the roof's shingles. Now, its San Jose facility will serve as GAF Energy's research and development (R&D) center as well as a manufacturing location.
Along with bringing to the country a made in America product, it also wants to create 'hundreds' of US based clean energy manufacturing jobs, the company explained.
"We're extremely excited to have found a home for our 1st combination R&D and manufacturing facility. Solar roofing is the future of the industry; the research, innovation, and manufacturing for that future will start at this facility," said President of GAF Energy, Martin DeBono. "The co-location of R&D and manufacturing is a huge benefit for the scientists pushing the envelope on what's possible for the product, and the engineers responsible for rolling it off the line."
According to Reuters, the facility will have the capacity to produce around 50 MW of solar panels annually, and will employ close to 400 people in manufacturing, engineering and R&D jobs. Speaking to the global news outlet, DeBono said having a local production facility in the US will help it save on transportation costs and tariffs on Asia made products, while lowering other related risks of having an offshore production fab.
GAF Energy is owned by roofing and waterproofing maker Standard Industries, and was launched in January 2019 (see Standard Industries Enters PV Rooftop Market).